Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30

I’m not going to lie. I’m tired right now. My day started at 5:20 a.m. and hasn’t slowed down yet. Meeting to meeting, appointment to appointment, and the day is far from complete. When I sit to write this blog it strikes me how utterly ridiculous complaining about my “busy” day is. Betrayed, beaten, nailed to a cross, mocked, stabbed, and then when he says that he’s thirsty, he gets wine vinegar?? Seriously, Mark. Get over it.

Here is the culmination of Jesus becoming man. Mission accomplished. Even at the very end of his life, John makes it clear that Jesus is laying down his life voluntarily. I love the certainty of Jesus’ actions. “Knowing that all was now completed…, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” He had fulfilled the mission that he left heaven to accomplish – to die for the sins of the world.

The words, “it is finished,” are words of victory, not surrender. The word he uses here in Greek was used for business transactions. The translation would be “paid in full.” The debt he came to cover, the sin of creation, my sin, has been fully paid. There is no balance. There is nothing left for me to pay!

Then finally, John says that he gave up his spirit. Yes, John. I think we’re finally getting it. This was his choice. Nobody took his life from him. Jesus gave it up!

Thank you Father for Jesus. Thank you for his love, his commitment to you, for his voluntary death. Thank you, that my sin has been covered. I am redeemed. Paid in full. I am free! Forgive me when I don’t live my life in the reality of the grace and mercy I have been given. Forgive me when my life doesn’t reflect the gratitude you deserve. Forgive me when I cheapen your grace through habitual sin. Forgive me when I do not imitate the example of Jesus and extend grace and mercy to those around me.